Time switch



Jan. 19, 1937. J. E. MCALLISTER 2,067,936

TIME SWITCH Filed Nov. 7, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l I N VENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 19, 1937. J. E. McALLlSTER TIME SWITCH Filed Nov. 7, 1934 2Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. d/r/yf fif zusrae' BY $5, M &

' ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 19, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TIME sWITCH land,Ohio Application November '7, 1934, Serial No. 751,858

16 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to time delaying mechanism andmore particularly to a time switch for opening or closing one or aplurality of electric circuits after a predetermined time interval.

An object of the invention is the provision of a novel time delayactuating mechanism, more particularly a time switch, embodying improvedfeatures of construction and operation which will increase the control,reliability, and application thereof.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel time delayactuating mechanism for producing a desired operation after the elapseof a predetermined time interval in which an actuating shaft isperiodically rotated intermittently through an escapement mechanismcontrolled by a clock-driven means.

The invention resides in certain novel features and details ofconstruction and combinations and arrangements of parts, and furtherobjects and advantages thereof will be apparent to those skilled in theart to which it pertains from the following description of the preferredembodiment thereof, described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. l is a front plan view of a time switch embodying the presentinvention;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1 with the indicator turnedto the position shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2, with the mechanism in theoff position shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4--4 of Fig. 2, with the mechanism inthe OE position;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 2, with the mechanism in theoff position;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 66 of Fig. 2, with the mechanism in theoff position; and

Fig. '7 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the device of Figs. 1 to 6inclusive applied to a hair curling machine.

Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

Briefly stated, the illustrated preferred embodiment of the invention,which is an electric time switch, comprises a spring actuated rotaryswitch operated through an escapement mechanism controlled from arotatable shaft provided with a hand grasp for manual movement inopposite directions and adapted to be rotated in one direction by aclock mechanism. The hand grasp, which also serves as an indicator, ismovable through a predetermined arc, and the escapement mechanism isactuated to produce one-half rotation of the switch upon each completeoscillation of the hand grasp.

Movement of the hand grasp in a clockwise direction winds both the clockmechanism and the switch actuating spring, and as the indicator reachesor passes the mark 30 at the end of the scale, the present time switchbeing a thirtyminute switch, the escapement mechanism is actuated torotate the switch a predetermined amount and close the same. The switchremains closed until the indicator is returned to the zero mark of thescale, either through manual operation or under the actuation of theclock mechanism, at which time the escapement mechanism is againactuated and the switch opened. In this respect the present inventiondiffers from prior devices wherein the switch is actuated to close thecircuit when the indicator is moved in a clockwise direction adjacentthe beginning of the scale, and actuated to open the circuit when theindicator is returned to the zero mark. One of the advantages of thisconstruction resides in the fact that the clock mechanism can beutilized to measure short intervals of duration, say up to twenty-fiveminutes in the present instance, without affecting the circuit, etc.

Referring to the drawings, the frame of the device illustrated comprisesa base ID of generally rectangular shape provided with a circular boss II formed integral therewith, a disc I2 supported in parallel spacedrelation to the base I ii by a plurality of posts I3, I4, I5 and I6, anda disc I'I supported in parallel spaced relation to the disc I2 by aplurality of posts I8, I9, 20, 2I and 22. The posts may be secured tothe base I0 and the discs I2 and IT in any convenient manner, and anydesired arrangement of the posts may be employed within limits whichwill be hereinafter apparent.

The switch proper is housed between the base I0 and the intermediateplate I2, and comprises a rotary switch element consisting of aplurality of plates 28 and 29 fixed to an escapement ratchet or disc 30by rivets 3| and insulated therefrom by insulation 32. The outer ends ofthe plates 28 and 29, which project on opposite sides of the compositionring-shaped member 33 are cut away, as illustrated in the drawings, toform a plurality of blades, in the present instance four, designated as34, 35, 36 and 31. As illustrated, the blades 34 and 35 are 45 apart,and the blades 36 and 31 are spaced 180 from blades 34 and 35,respectively. Upon rotation of the rotary switch element, the blades 34,35, 38 and 31 successively engage a plurality of stationary contacts 40to 44 inclusive positioned in cutout portions 45 of the ring-shapedmember 33. The stationary contacts are secured to the boss H by screws46 and provided with electric connectors or terminal posts 41 formedintegral with the contacts. Any arrangement of blades and contacts maybe employed to meet the needs of a particular switching operation. Thepresent embodiment is merely illustrative and a practical applicationthereof is hereinafter referred to.

The rotary switch element, consisting of the plates 28 and 29 and theescapement disc 30, which is provided with a downwardly extending boss48, is rotatably supported on a central shaft 50 and rotated in aclockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 3 and 4, by a helical spring5|.positioned about a. collar member 52 rotatably supported on the upperend of the shaft 50. One end of the spring 5| is connected to a pin 53secured to the escapement disc 39 and the other end to a pin 54 on aratchet disc 55 riveted to the upper end of the collar member 52, which,as previously stated, is rotatably supported on the shaft 50. The shaft59 is non-rotatably secured in the base III in any convenient manner,and, if desired, suitable means may be provided at the upper end of theshaft for retaining the collar member 52 in position thereon.

Rotation of the switch element under the action of the spring 5i iscontrolled by a bell-crank shaped escapement pawl 56 rotatably supportedabout a post 5! reduced opposite ends of which project through aperturesin the intermediate plate 12 and a bracket 59 secured to the boss II bya screw 69. The post 51 is held in position by a nut 58 threaded on theupper end thereof.

' Opposite ends of the bell-crank escapement pawl 56 are adapted toproject alternately into the path of movement of two upstanding stops orlugs 6| formed integral with the escapement disc 30 to permit anintermittent rotation of the rotary switch element in steps of 45. Theoperation of the escapement pawl 56 is under the control of a small cam63 secured to the squared end 64 of a central shaft 62 rotatablysupported in the discs l2 and I! through the medium of a forked orY-shaped lever 65 formed integral with the escapement pawl 56 androtatably supported on the upper end of the post 51.

The central shaft 62 is adapted to be oscillated through an arc ofapproximately 210 to 215 by a combination hand grasp and pointer 10secured to the outer tapered end thereof by a flanged cap nut IIrotatably supported in the hand grasp with the flange 12 positionedbetween a shoulder on the hand grasp proper and a tapered member 13pressed into the hand grasp. The member 13 is secured on the tapered endof the shaft 62 by a forced fit and the construction permits the same tobe readily secured to and removed from the taper for the purpose ofassembly and adjustment of the pointer with reference to a scale 14 on acover plate 15 spaced from the outer disc l1 and secured thereto in anyconvenient manner A pair of positive stops l6 and T1, in the presentinstance secured to the outer disc l1 and projecting through the coverplate 14, are provided for limiting thev movement of the combinationhand grasp and pointer 10.

As the combination hand grasp and pointer is moved in a clockwisedirection from the position shown in Fig. 1, which is referred to as theoff position of the switch, the escapement pawl 56 is rocked from theposition shown in full lines in Fig. 6 to that shown in dot-dash linesin the same figure, which latter position is reached as the pointerreaches or passes the mark 30 on the end of the scale, the presentembodiment being a thirty minute time switch. The stop iii, inengagement with the leading end of the escapement pawl 56, is therebypermitted to advance 90 under the action of the spring 5i, or until itengages with or is caught by the hook on the trailing end of theescapement pawl. The es capement disc 30 carries the switch plates 28and 29 therewith, disengaging the blades 35 and 3"! from the stationarycontacts 40 and 42, respectively, and engaging the blades and 31 withthe stationary contacts 4|, 43 and M, respectively. This position of theswitch is hereinafter referred to as the on posit-i 1. Upon movement ofthe combination hand grasp and pointer in the reverse direction, thestop Si is released from the hook on the trailing end of the escapementpawl 50 as the pointer reaches or passes the zero mark on the scale. andthe rotary switch element rotated another 90 or until the following stopSl engages the leading end of the escapement pawl.

Rotation of the ratchet disc 55 in a direction to unwind the spring 5|is prevented by the engagement of a pawl in one of a plurality of groupsof ratchet teeth 82 formed in the periphery of the ratchet disc 55 andspaced 180 apart. The pawl 89 is rotatably supported on a reducedportion of the post l3 and is continuously urged in a clockwisedirection, as viewed in Fig. 4, by a spring 8| one end of which engagesin a notch in the pawl and the other end in an aperture in the disc I2.Upon each complete movement of the combination hand grasp and indicator19 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, the ratchet disc 55 isadvanced approximately 180 by the engagement of a pawl 85 rotatablysupported on a member 92 projecting from the under side of a segment 86secured to the lower squared end of the shaft 62 with one of twoabutments 8'1 and 88 projecting upwardly from the disc 55. The pawl 85is continuously urged in a direction to engage the abutments 81 and 88by a wire spring 89 secured to the rear side of the pawl 85 and a pin99' projecting downwardly from the under side of the I segment 86.Movement of the pawl 85 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4,is limited by a pin 94 carried thereby which engages one side of anelongated aperture 90 in the segment 86. The cam 63 previously referredto and the segment 86 are secured to the squared end of the shaft 62 bya nut 9| threaded on the lower end of the shaft. Suitable spacers 93 arepositioned between the cam 63 and the segments 85 to properly locate thesame.

Both ends of the segment 85 are provided with a plurality or group ofratchet teeth I90 adapted, as the combination hand grasp and pointerapproaches the end of its movement in either direction, to be engaged bya double-faced pawl IIJI rotatably supported on a reduced portion of thepost I6. This construction prevents reverse movement of the hand graspor pointer without the same having been moved through its complete arcin either direction. As the hand grasp reaches the end of its movementin either direction, the pawl lOl disengages the segment 86 and is heldthereafter in a midposition by spring I02 one end of which projectsthrough an aperture in the pawl and the other end through an aperture inthe disc l2. This mechanism is referred to as the full wind mechanismand prevents the switch from being operated without the spring 51 beingcompletely wound. When the hand grasp is moved in a clockwise directiona sufiicient distance to actuate the rotary switch element, it cannot bereversed until the pawl has engaged the next following groups of ratchetteeth 82 on the ratchet disc 55, and, when the hand grasp has been movedin the opposite direction far enough to open the switch, it cannot bereversed before the pawl 85 has been positioned for engagement with thenext following abutment 87 or 88, as the case may be.

Upon movement of the combination hand grasp and pointer 18 in clockwisedirection, the rotary switch element snaps or moves to the on positionas the pointer reaches the end of the scale. When the time rotary switchelement snaps to the on position, the full wind pawl Hll is inengagement with the ratchet teeth I09 at the lower end of the segment85, as viewed in Fig. 4, and the rotary switch element will remain inthis position indefinitely, that is, until the pointer it is manuallymoved sufliciently to allow the pawl Hll to clear the end of thesegment. The foregoing construction permits the device to be used as astraight snap switch if desired.

Since after a predetermined movement of the hand grasp the same can onlybe turned in one direction, because of the engagement of the pawl llilin the ratchet teeth I90 of the segment 86, visible means is providedfor indicating the direction the hand grasp is to be moved. This meanscomprises a member secured to the upper end of the small rod I06 weldedor otherwise fixed to the pawl NH. The member N15 is provided with aplurality of arrows visible through a plurality of slots I01 and H18 inthe cover plate E5,

The shaft 62 is adapted to be driven in a counter-clockwise direction,as viewed in Figs. 1, 2, and i, by a clock spring H0 one end of which issecured to the post Ill and the other end to a collar member fixed tothe large portion of the shaft 932 by a force fit. Movement of the shaft62 under the action of the spring H0 is controlled by a clock mechanismof conventional construction designated in general by the referencecharacter H3. The clock mechanism H3 includes a gear H4 rotatablysupported coaxially with the shaft 62 and connected therewith through afriction drive, which drive consists in clamping the gear H4 between aspring washer H5 and the collar member H2. The amount of frictionbetween the gear H4 and the member H2 is determined by the tension ofthe spring washer 5 l5 which can be adjusted by a nut H6 threaded ontothe shaft 62 and held in any adjusted position by a jam nut Ill. Theoperation of the foregoing is such that, as the hand grasp is moved in aclockwise direction, the clock spring H5 will be wound, and when thehand grasp is turned manually in a reverse direction, the frictionaldrive between the collar member H2 and the gear H4 allows the shaft 62to turn independently of the clock mechanism. The operating mechanism ofthe device is all enclosed in a metal case H9 open at the front toexpose the dial, etc.

Fig. 7 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the present time switchapplied to a hair waving machine. The stationary contacts 42 and 43 areconnected to one side of the line, designated L1,

thestationary contact 40 to an indicator lamp- I20. The stationarycontact 4| is connected to one side of the heater circuit l2! of thehair curler and the stationary contact 44 to one side of a voltmeterI22. The opposite sides of the indicator lamp [20, the heater circuit,and the voltmeter I22 are connected to the other side of the line,designated L2. The switch is shown in full lines in what is hereinreferred to as the off position, and the dotted lines indicate the onposition of the switch.

In the off position, the circuit to the indicator lamp is closed and. avisible indication given that the switch is off or, in other words, thatthe circuit to the heaters is open. In the dotted line position theheater circuit I2] is connected to the stationary contact 43 and, inturn, the line through the blades 36 and 34, and the blade 31, is incontact with the stationary contact 44 to close the circuit to thevoltmeter which then indicates the line voltage of the heating circuit.

From the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of theinvention, it is believed the operation thereof will be apparent,suffice it to say that as the combination hand grasp and indicator 1B isoscillated through its cycle of movement, the rotatable switch elementis rotated in steps of 90 by the spring 5! through the escapement pawl56. Upon oscillation of the hand grasp H1 in the clockwise direction,the ratchet disc 55 is rotated approximately to wind the spring 5|,preparatory to being unwound by the aforesaid rotation of the rotaryswitch element in two steps of 90 each. When the device is operated as atime switch, the hand grasp I0 is givena complete turn in the clockwisedirection to wind the escapement spring 5|, and turn the rotary switchelement to the on position, after which the pointer is manually moved tothe time setting desired. Continued movement of the pointer toward thezero end of the scale is effected by the clock mechanism, and, as thepointer reaches the zero mark, the rotary switch element advances 90 orto the ofi position. As has been previously stated, one of theadvantages of applicants construction resides in the fact that thedevice may also be used as a clock within certain limits withoutaffecting the circuit or circuits to which it is connected, or may beused as a straight or regular snap switch if desired.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated asapplied to a hair waving machine, it will be apparent to those skilledin the art that the invention is equally applicable to any circuit whereit is desired to open or close the same after a time interval. It willalso be apparent that numerous constructions of rotary contactors can besubstituted for the rotary switch shown, and any desired arrangement ofcircuits, indicators, lamps, voltmeters, etc., obtained.

The invention resides in certain novel features and details ofconstruction and combina tions and arrangements of parts, and thisapplication is intended to cover all variations, adaptations, and usesthereof that come within the knowledge and customary practice of thoseskilled in the art to which it pertains. I do not wish to be limited tothe particular construction shown which may be varied within the scopeof this invention, and I particularly point out and claim as myinvention the following:

1. In a device of the character referred to, the combination of a rotarymember, a second mem ber rotatably supported coaxially with said firstmentioned member, means for limiting the rotation of said second member,a coil spring operatively connected to said first and second members, anoscillatory member, means of oscillating said oscillatory member, aone-way driving connection between said oscillatory member and saidsecond member, and means operatively connected to said oscillatorymember for controlling the rotation of said first mentioned member underthe action of said spring.

2. In a device of the character referred to, the combination of a rotarymember, a second member rotatably supported coaxially with said firstmentioned member, means for limiting the rotation of said second member,a coil spring operatively connected to said first and second members, anoscillatory member, a clock mechanism for moving said oscillatory memberin one direction, a one way driving connection between said oscillatorymember and said second member, and means operatively connected to saidoscillatory member for controlling the rotation of said first memberunder the action of said spring.

3. In a device of the character referred to, the combination of a rotarymember, a second member rotatably supported coaxially with said firstmentioned member, means for limiting the rotation of said second member,a coil spring operatively connected to said first and second members, anoscillatory member, means for oscillating said oscillatory member, meansfor preventing reverse movement of said oscillatory member during aportion of its movement, a one-way driving connection between saidoscillatory member and said second member, and means operativelyconnected to said oscillatory member for controlling the rotation ofsaid first member under the action of said spring.

4. In a device of the character referred to, the combination of a rotarymember, a second member rotatably supported coaxially with said firstmentioned member, means for limiting the rotation of said second member,a coil spring operatively connected to said first and second members, anoscillatory member, means for oscillating said oscillatory member, aone-way driving connection between said oscillatory member and saidsecond member, an escapement mechanism for controlling the rotation ofsaid first member under the action of said spring, and means operativelyconnected to said oscillatory member and said escapement mechanism forcontrolling the actuation of said escapement mechanism.

5. In a device of the character referred to, the combination of a rotarymember, a second member rotatably supported coaxially with said firstmentioned member, means for limiting the rotation of said second member,a coil spring operatively connected to said first and second members, anoscillatory member, means for oscillating said oscillatory member, aone-way driving connection between said oscillatory member and saidsecond member, and means operatively connected to said oscillatorymember for effecting intermittent rotation of said first mentionedmember under the action of said spring.

6. In a device of the character referred to, the combination of a rotarymember, a second member rotatably supported coaxially with said firstmentioned member, means for limiting the rotation of said second member,a coil spring operatively connected to said first and second members, anoscillatory member, means for oscillating said oscillatory member, aone-way driving connection between said oscillatory member and saidsecond member, a bell crank lever escapement mechanism for permittingintermittent rotation of said first member under the action of saidspring in predetermined steps, and means operatively connected to saidoscillatory member and said escapement mechanism for controlling theactuation of said escapement mechanism.

7. In a device of the character referred to, the combination of a rotarymember, a ratchet member rotatably supported coaxially with said firstmentioned member, a pawl adapted to engage said ratchet member and limitthe rotation there of in one direction, a coil spring operativelyconnected to said rotary member and said ratchet member for rotating theformer, an oscillatory member, means for oscillating said oscillatorymember, a pawl carried by said oscillatory member adapted to engage saidratchet member, and means operatively connected to said oscillatorymember for controlling the rotation of said first member under theaction of said spring.

8. In a device of the character referred to, the combination of a rotarymember, a ratchet member rotatably supported coaxially with said firstmentioned member, a pawl adapted to engage said ratchet member forlimiting the rotation thereof in one direction, a coil springoperatively connected to said first member and said ratchet member forrotating the former, an oscillatory member, clock mechanism for movingsaid oscillatory member in one direction, a pawl carried by saidoscillatory member adapted to engage said ratchet member, and meansoperatively con nected to said oscillatory member for controlling therotation of said first member under the action of said spring.

9. In a device of the character referred to, the combination of a rotarymember, a ratchet member rotatably supported coaxially with said firstmentioned member, a pawl adapted to engage said ratchet member forlimiting the rotation thereof in one direction, a coil springoperatively connected to said first member and said ratchet member forrotating the former, an oscillatory member, means for oscillating saidoscillatory member, means for limiting reverse movement of saidoscillatory member during a portion of its movement in either direction,a pawl carried by said oscillatory member adapted to engage said ratchetmember, and means operatively connected to said oscillatory member forcontrolling the rotation of said first member under the action of saidspring.

10. In a device of the character referred to, the combination of arotary member, a ratchet member rotatably supported coaxially with saidfirst mentioned member, a pawl adapted to engage said ratchet member forlimiting the rotation thereof in one direction, a coil springoperatively connected to said first member and said ratchet member forrotating the former, an oscillatory member, means for oscillating saidoscillatory member, a pawl carried by said oscillatory member adapted toengage said ratchet member, an escapement mechanism for controlling therotation of said first member under the action of said spring, and meansoperatively connected to said oscillatory member and said escapementmechanism for controlling the operation thereof.

11. In a device of the character referred to, the combination of arotary member, a second member rotatably supported coaxially with saidfirst mentioned member, means for limiting the rotation of said secondmember, a coil spring 0peratively connected to said first and secondmembers, a sector-shaped oscillatory member having spaced ratchet meansthereon adjacent the ends thereof, means for oscillating saidoscillatory member, a pawl adapted to engage the ratchet means on saidoscillatory member for preventing reverse movement of said oscillatorymember during a predetermined movement thereof, a oneway drivingconnection between said oscillatory member and said second member, andmeans operatively connected to said oscillatory member for controllingthe rotation of said first member under the action of said spring.

12. In a device of the character referred to, the combination of arotary member, a ratchet member having spaced ratchet means thereonrotatably supported coaxially with said first mentioned member, a pawladapted to engage said ratcl et means and limit the rotation thereof inone direction, a coil spring operatively connected to said rotary memberand said ratchet member for rotating the latter, an oscillatory member,means for oscillating said oscillatory member, additional spaced ratchetmeans on said ratchet member, a pawl carried by said oscillatory memherfor engagement with said last mentioned spaced ratchet means, and meansoperatively connected to said oscillatory member for controlling therotation of said first member under the action of said spring.

13. In a time switch of the character referred to, the combination ofstationary contacts, a rotary switch member, a second member rotatablysupported coaxially with said rotary switch member, means for limitingthe rotation of said second member, a coil spring operatively connectedto said rotary switch member and said second member, an oscillatorymember, a clock mechanism for moving said oscillatory member in onedirection, a one-way driving connection between said oscillatory memberand said second member, and means operatively connected to saidoscillatory member for controlling the rotation of said rotary switchmember under the action of said spring.

14. In a time switch of the character referred to, the combination ofstationary contacts, a rotary switch member, a ratchet member rotatablysupported coaxially with said rotary switch member, a pawl adapted toengage said ratchet memher for limiting the rotation thereof in onedirection, a coil spring operatively connected to said rotary switchmember and said ratchet member for rotating the former, an oscillatorymember, clock mechanism for moving said oscillatory member in onedirection, a pawl carried by said oscillatory member adapted to engagewith said ratchet member, and means operatively connected to saidoscillatory member for controlling the rotation of said rotary switchmember under the action of said spring.

15. In a time switch of the character referred to, the combination of aplurality of stationary contacts, a rotary switch member, a ratchetmember rotatably supported coaxially with said first mentioned member,spaced ratchet means on said ratchet member, a pawl adapted to engagesaid spaced ratchet means for limiting the rotation of said ratchetmember in one direction, a coil spring operatively connected to saidrotary switch member and said ratchet member for rotating the former, ashaft, a segmentshaped member fixed to said shaft, ratchet means onopposite ends of said segment-shaped member, means for oscillating saidshaft, pawl means for preventing reverse rotation of said shaft afterthe same has been moved a predetermined distance in either direction,additional spaced ratchet means on said ratchet member, a pawl carriedby said segment-shaped member adapted to engage said second ratchetmeans, escapement means for controlling the rotation of said rotaryswitch member, and means operatively connected to said shaft forcontrolling the operation of said escapement means.

16. In a device of the character referred to, the combination of arotary member, a second member rotatably supported coaxially with saidfirst mentioned member, means for limiting the rotation of said secondmember, resilient means for operatively connecting said first and secondmembers, an oscillatory member, a one-way driving connection betweensaid oscillatory member and said second member, and means operativelyconnected to said oscillatory member for controlling the rotation ofsaid first mentioned member under the action of said resilient means.

JOHN E. MCALLISTER.

